Based on the Premise that the 1963 book & 1967 film “The Graduate” are based on a true story, Rumor takes a look at the would-be daughter of the daughter of the infamous Mrs. Robinson -- 30 something years later. Sound complicated? You needn’t have seen the earlier film. Although, I’ll state it right now, “The Graduate” is several times better than “Rumor.”

The problem with Rumor isn’t its complexity, it’s its lack of depth. Essentially, this is a big screen soap opera. It’s only uniqueness is a sort of bandwagon connection with an earlier classic film. All act well, though Costner is particularly strong. But, Anniston, though technically on, never endears us, never captures our hearts. The writing could be at fault for that. There is nothing in the script that highlights her qualities. While we can appreciate her conundrum and root for her in solving it, she seems totally unappreciative of how her actions affect others.

Shirley MacLean picks up where Anne Bancroft left off. That’s quite an act to follow, but some very sharp dialogue gives her strong tools to recreate Mrs. Robinson’s ominous presence. Mark Ruffalo makes his relatively minor character even more endearing than the Aniston character.

-- Book Contest --